This gorgeous garland of islands consists of 26 natural atolls, about 1190 islands in all, most of them uninhabited. For a long time, the Maldives was one of the best-kept secrets in the world. Now, with promises of seeing ‘the last paradise on earth’, tourists who can afford such a luxury flock to frolic in crystal clear water and sunbathe on pristine beaches. Many resorts feature private villas with glass bottom floors perched directly over the water. The sheer beauty and tranquility of the Maldives attracts honeymooners and other couples seeking rejuvenation and relaxation. It is also a major destination for scuba divers, who come for the abundant marine life and vibrant coral reefs. Most of the resorts have professional dive schools with qualified multilingual instructors offering a range of courses, from beginners to full PADI certification. In addition to diving, resorts offer superb snorkeling, windsurfing, catamaran sailing, para-sailing, night-fishing trips, banana-boating, water-skiing and volleyball. Visitors will be spoilt for choice, yet are perfectly free to choose to do nothing but relax in a hammock under the shade of a palm tree all day long. The Maldives holds the record for being the flattest country in the world, with a maximum natural ground level of only two metres above sea level. Only 200 of the nearly twelve hundred islands are inhabited, covered by lush tropical vegetation and palm trees. The remaining one thousand islands are uninhabited, some of which are mere sand bars or coral tips, covered in low-lying foliage. Each island is surrounded by a reef enclosing a shallow lagoon. Hundreds of these islands together form an atoll, surrounding yet another lagoon. An image of paradise indeed.